The medieval ramparts of Angoulême run around most of the plateau on which the upper town sits, and the walkway along their top offers panoramic views in every direction. To the north and east you look out over the Charente valley and the industrial lower town; to the south, the hillside drops into a tangle of old streets and gardens. The walk takes about 45 minutes at a comfortable pace and is one of the best free things to do in the city.
The most dramatic section is at the eastern end, where the ramparts reach their greatest height above the valley. The gardens planted along the inner face of the walls — the Jardin des Villes Jumelles and others — are pleasant in summer. The ring road below the walls, the Circuit des Remparts, hosts a famous vintage car race each September; the combination of 1930s racing cars and medieval fortifications is incongruous and wonderful.